Initial Contact and Weather Advisory
At 0755, the pilot contacted Birmingham Approach Control, reporting a position 35 miles south at 2,000 feet. The controller advised the pilot of the Birmingham weather conditions and that instrument flight rules (IFR) prevailed at the airport. The pilot stated a desire to land at another airport and was given approximate positions to three airports.
Radar Contact and Pilot Intentions
At 0808, radar contact was established with the aircraft approximately 6 miles southwest of Shelby County Airport. The pilot then advised that he was maneuvering under visual flight rules (VFR). At 0811, the pilot reported that he was turning south to find better VFR weather conditions.
Loss of Contact and Notification
Subsequently, the aircraft crashed about 7 miles west-southwest of Shelby County Airport. The controller who had been working the aircraft notified the team supervisor of the loss of radio and radar contact. The team supervisor then notified the deputy chief. At 0845, the tower chief directed that preliminary accident notification procedures not be implemented.
Search and Wreckage Location
At 1400, three personnel from the Birmingham tower, including the controller who had been working the aircraft and had requested two hours of annual leave to assist, initiated search actions on their own. They located the wreckage at 1510.